What's new in Access 2013

What’s new in Access 2013? In a word, apps. An Access web app is a new type of database that you build in Access, then use and share with others as a SharePoint app in a web browser. To build an app, you just select the type of data you want to track (contacts, tasks, projects, and so on). Access creates the database structure, complete with views that let you add and edit data. Navigation and basic commands are built-in, so you can start using your app right away.

Getting started with apps

Building an app

Using your SharePoint server or Office 365 site as a host, you’ll be able to build a polished, browser-based database app. Under the hood, Access apps use SQL Server to provide the best performance and data integrity. On the startup screen, click Custom web app.

Note With Access 2013, you can still create traditional desktop databases from scratch. Or, try out a template to create an app, a desktop database, or an Access 2010-style web database.

Table templates

If you see the multiple-table indicator next to a template, that means Access will add commonly used related tables for you so you can get started with a truly relational database. Access creates views for each table that display data from related tables.

Opening in a browser

UI created automatically

Navigation included

Access apps save you the trouble of building views, switchboards and other user interface (UI) elements. Table names show up on the left edge of the window, and the views for each table appear across the top:

All apps have a similar navigation structure, making it easier for people to learn and switch between apps. You can always add more custom views besides the ones provided by the app.

The Action Bar

The built-in views each have an Action Bar with buttons for adding, editing, saving, and deleting items. You can add more buttons to this bar to run any custom macros you build, or you can remove buttons you don’t want people to use.

New deployment options

Permissions improvements

Get more control over who can modify your app. SharePoint now comes with three default permissions levels–Designer, Author, and Reader. Only Designers can make design changes to views and tables. Authors can change data but not the design, and Readers (you guessed it) can only read existing data.

Package and distribute apps

Access apps can be saved as package files and then added to your Corporate Catalog or the Office Store. At the Office Store, you can distribute your app for free, or you can charge a fee and make some spending money.